Consumers have been asking companies to let them repair their products for years. And, although the right of anyone to repair, modify or access their own machines (be they mobile phones, televisions or cars) seems basic, it is something that companies have destroyed in order to obtain economic return from it. One of the protagonists in this debate has been the manufacturer of tractors John Deere, and not in a good way.
The company placed software locks on its tractors that only they can disable, preventing farmers or independent repair shops from diagnosing and repairing the machines. These limitations have led already fed up farmers to even hack into their tractors. In the end, John Deere had to relent and agreed with his customers on the right to repair. A growing trend in the world.
The deal. Until now, farmers were only allowed to use authorized parts and services instead of taking their tractors down to cheaper sizes. But a few days ago, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and Deere & Co. signed an agreement whereby farmers will have the right to repair John Deere tractors and other farm equipment without having to use the manufacturer’s own parts and facilities. . That means customers can take their machines to third-party repair shops or repair them themselves.
Plus, they’ll have access to the same Deere documentation, data and diagnostic tools used in the company’s shops. In return, independent owners and technicians will not be allowed to “disclose trade secrets” or “override safety features, emission controls, or adjust equipment power levels” through hacking.
The context. As we’ve previously discussed at Magnet, consumers have been complaining about Deere’s repair limitations for years. And in recent months they have filed multiple lawsuits against the company. That’s why the manufacturer has been gradually loosening the restrictions and has promised to expand the availability of its diagnostic tools in 2023. Now, this new agreement marks a great victory for the consumer.
Still, Deere’s in control. The manufacturer has a complete monopoly in the sector. Farmers have repeatedly claimed how they have to wait days or weeks for an official fix, turning planting and harvesting schedules upside down. Some blame the consolidation of tractor dealerships, most of which are controlled by Deere, for the delays. “There is one John Deere chain for every 12,018 fields and every 8,000 square miles of farmland,” noted the US Public Interest Research Group.
But beware. Although the agreement has come to fruition, in the fine print of the pact was that, in exchange, the AFBF will not promote state or federal legislation that promotes the right of users to repair. That would allow John Deere to circumvent right-to-repair legislation. In other words, John Deere wants the right to repair to be on its own terms and not be subject to legislation that could take away more power in that regard.
The tendency. The rural world has become a battleground for what is actually a growing global movement for the right to repair. One that is not only about tractors, but that includes all kinds of electronic products such as smartphones, computers or even household appliances. In fact, Apple has come under fire for often shipping ultra-thin devices sealed with special glue or with non-removable components, including batteries and memory chips. Apple has said for years that customers should trust authorized repair facilities, citing potential dangers for users.
The issue even reached the White House, when in 2021 the Biden administration issued an executive order asking the Federal Trade Commission for new laws to promote the right to repair. Last month, New York became the first state to enact such a law. On the other hand, the European Union already has policies that oblige manufacturers to make spare parts available to customers.
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